Pearson Tips Vardy To Shine

Nigel Pearson has tipped Jamie Vardy to become a fans' favourite as he believes he'll more than make the grade in the Championship this season.

Speaking to the Leicester Mercury Pearson again repeated that Vardy hadn't been plucked from obscurity because he had been watching him for a number of seasons, and he believes at 25 years old, the time is now right for Vardy to make the step up and become a Foxes hero.

'I think he can make the step up, very much so. He's not someone we have pulled out of the blue, we've been monitoring him for a while. His goal record is very good but I think he will be very popular with the fans because of his work rate. It's a big step up but I am very confident he will prove he can play at this level. He's determined to make it and you need that.'

It's going to be a very big season for Vardy now, and whilst one million isn't as grand a fee as it used to be in football, it's still a hell of a lot for a non league player and that will add pressure - especially with the promotion pressure the squad will already have, but if he's introduced slowly and at the right time so he can build his confidence we could well have a bargain on our hands given his eye for goal.